The big time
Tim Green
The big time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Football Genius Novel
by Tim Green
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Troy White is a football star on the rise, leading his team to victory and catching the eyes of big-time agents. But just as his dreams seem within reach, a stranger claims to be his father—turning Troy's perfect world upside down. Can Troy score the ultimate win by discovering who he really is?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Troy White, a talented young football player whose life changes when a man claims to be his father. The story explores themes of family, identity, and the challenges of navigating complicated relationships, making it suitable for readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the emotional tension around family conflict but will find a compelling, age-appropriate narrative.
Why we rated The big time 11ME
The big time is written at a Level 6 reading level across 277 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The big time works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The big time as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The big time explores juvenile fiction, football, father-son relationship, family, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about juvenile fiction, football, father-son relationship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780061686214
- Pages
- 277
- Publisher
- Harper Collins
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction